As an apprentice economist, you will be joining a community of over 3500 economists in more than 70 organisations across the Civil Service.
You will have a unique opportunity to work in a central government department or agency on some of the most important social, environmental, and economic issues our country faces, whilst studying for a degree in economics.
You will have the opportunity to improve the world you live in – working on issues like:
- How can government support UK businesses to compete in a changing world?
- How can government support people to kick-start their lives after prison?
- How can government act to protect the environment?
- How can the government support regional growth?
The range of opportunities open to you through the Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship programme (GESDAP) is huge. You could be working in government departments responsible for business, energy, justice, transport.
Economists are contributing to the very biggest decisions that the country faces. They help senior leaders make the best choices by providing them with analysis and accurate, timely advice.
For more information about the scheme visit our GESDAP website.
Question and Answer Session
There will be a Question and Answer (Q&A) session with the GES Recruitment Team to chat about the application process and the experience of working as an apprentice in government.
Date: Tuesday 16 December 2025
Time: 16:30 pm to 17:30 pm
Place: Virtual, on Microsoft Teams.
Click here to join the meeting
We will give you:
- Information regarding a career in Government economics and in the Civil Service
- An outline of the recruitment process for the scheme
- Our tips on filling out the application form.
Job description
This is an exciting time to be joining the Civil Service. As an apprentice economist, you will study for a degree in economics whilst putting your economic learning to direct use in the workplace every day. You will contribute to high profile public policies through your economic analysis. With continuous support you will prepare vital briefings for senior officials, ministers or the public, provide quality advice on policy options
The Government Economic Service (GES) provides high quality, high impact economic analysis to inform government decisions. You can read more about the GES here.
The GES degree apprenticeship is a four-year programme undertaking the Level 6 Professional Economist standard, including a BSc Economics Degree. At the same time, you will be working in a team of economists and other analysts in a government department, supported by a manager and a buddy.
Your degree will be a mixture of online and face-to-face teaching with a residential week each year at the University of Kent in Canterbury at the beginning of September. The department you work in will make any necessary travel arrangements and payment for you to attend in-person events with the University of Kent from your office location.
The BSc Professional Economics Degree will be comprised of:
- Microeconomics; how individuals, households and firms make decisions, the interaction of supply and demand and how markets work.
- Macroeconomics; how the economy works at a national and international level.
- Econometrics; the use of data to test theories and evaluate changes in government policies.
Working as a member of the GES involves the development and use of:
- Quantitative skills: manipulating and presenting data.
- Writing and presentation techniques: communicating economics clearly and succinctly to senior officials and ministers.
- Applied economics skills: using economic insights and techniques to inform decisions on anything from the environment to transport.
At the end of four years, successful completion of the End Point Assessment (EPA) will guarantee you permanent employment within the GES.
Person specification
Eligibility
Nationality Requirements:
- You must have resided in the UK for at least the previous 3 years before the start of the apprenticeship.
- Individuals will also need to demonstrate that they meet the relevant immigration requirements and their eligibility under the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs). Please see below Nationality Requirements for more information.
- This includes the right to remain and take up full-time work in the UK for the entire duration of the 4-year programme by August 2026.
Qualification Requirements:
Candidates must have a minimum of:
- Five GCSE (including Maths at Grade 6 or above and English Language at Grade 4 or above or equivalent.
- 96 UCAS points under the 2017 tariff point system (eg CCC at A Level or equivalent, not including General Studies) or expected to achieve this by August 2026.
Please note:
If you have a degree in economics or a degree where 50% of the course credit modules are in economics you are not eligible for GESDAP.
Desired skills
- Well organised, able to prioritise and work to deadlines.
- Able to understand and explain complex information verbally and in writing.
- Able to use IT, including Microsoft Office, Excel and Outlook.
- Able to solve problems, establishing issues and advantages and disadvantages of different options.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team working towards a common goal.
- Able to think critically and question things.
Personal qualities
- Enthusiasm for what a degree in economics entails and a commitment to completing the apprenticeship over 4 years.
- Interest in government and current affairs.
- Keen to learn and develop.
- Not required but flexible to travel within the UK.
In addition, some departments require candidates to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years having spent no period longer than 3 months outside of the UK to get security clearance.
If successful you must hold, or be willing to obtain, security clearance to CTC/SC/DV level. More information about the vetting process can be found at the following link Security Vetting and Clearance Guidance
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 4th January 2026
